In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and S 810 SUB, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio and Jamo. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Polk Monitor XT12 and Jamo S 810 SUB first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Polk Monitor XT12and Jamo S 810 SUB have a single woofer setup however the Polk Monitor XT12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Jamo S 810 SUB features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas S 810 SUB has a frequency range of 36-180 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Monitor XT12 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 810 SUB's min frequency of 36Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Polk Monitor XT12 and Jamo S 810 SUB have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Polk Monitor XT12's and Jamo S 810 SUB's external dimensions. Polk Monitor XT12 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 408.0 x 485.0mm (16-7/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 19-1/16inch) whereas Jamo S 810 SUB has external dimensions of 508.0 x 228.0 x 405.0mm (20 x 8-15/16 x 15-15/16inch).
Jamo S 810 SUB is 180mm narrower and 80mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 90mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and Jamo S 810 SUB in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 and Jamo S 810 SUB Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 810 SUB is approximately 923.4cm2 / 143.1inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 114% more surface area than the S 810 SUB which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the Jamo S 810 SUB weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the Monitor XT12 50% heavier than the S 810 SUB.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 and S 810 SUB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk Monitor XT12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor XT12:
- Black powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
What's in the Box of Jamo S 810 SUB?
Here are the items that come with the S 810 SUB:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- 6.5-feet Mono-RCA cable
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
418mm
vs
508mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
923cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
199USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Polk Monitor XT12 needs about 114% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 80mm further into the room. Jamo S 810 SUB is 90mm taller.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
Jamo S 810 SUB |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
75 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
36-180 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
75-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Polyfiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
Side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
508.0mm (20") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
405.0mm (15.9") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Polk Monitor XT12 costs roughly 2x what Jamo S 810 SUB does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Polk Monitor XT12 goes deeper - 24Hz against 36Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | Jamo S 810 SUB has the bigger amplifier - 75W against 50W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Polk Monitor XT12 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Polk Monitor XT12 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Driver placement | depends | Polk Monitor XT12 fires front and Jamo S 810 SUB fires side. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Jamo S 810 SUB is about 43% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | Polk Monitor XT12 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 810 SUB costs less - $199 against $399, about 50% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 B Jamo S 810 SUB
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Polk Monitor XT12 measures better, Jamo S 810 SUB costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk Monitor XT12 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $199 each, two Jamo S 810 SUB cost about $398 against $399 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.